20 Parks in Fukuoka worth your time

A seashell-shaped aquarium in Fukuoka featuring Kyushu marine life, massive panorama tanks, and rare specimens like the megamouth shark.

What it is

• A large public aquarium focused on the diverse marine life of the Sea of Kyushu.
• The facility originally opened in 1989 and underwent a full renovation in 2017.
• It is located within the grounds of the Uminonakamichi Seaside Park in Fukuoka.
• The building features a distinctive architectural design based on a seashell motif.

What to see

• A massive panorama tank containing 1,400 tons of water and various sea creatures.
• A rare preserved specimen of a megamouth shark is on display for visitors.
• Outdoor areas housing dolphins, sea lions, and sea turtles.
• Exhibitions and displays centered around the theme of the Sea of Kyushu.

When to go

• Special night operations are held primarily during the summer holiday season.

Getting there

• The aquarium is a seven-minute walk from Uminonakamichi Station.

Official site

marine-world.jp

Read more about Marine World Uminonakamichi

A public sports complex in Fukuoka built on a former power plant site, offering baseball, tennis, and multi-purpose athletic fields.

What it is

• A public sports park opened in 1982 in Fukuoka City.
• The site formerly housed the Najima Thermal Power Plant.
• Kyushu Electric Power once used this land as a private ground.
• The facility was established following the relocation of the prefectural office.

What to see

• A soft baseball stadium equipped with night lighting systems.
• Twelve tennis courts including four designed for night use.
• Open spaces used for soccer matches and ground golf.
• A dedicated field for playing gateball.

Getting there

• Najima Station is a ten minute walk from the park.
• A local bus stop is located one minute away.

Read more about Najima Sports Park

Sarayama Park offers seasonal flowers, a unique rock garden, and city views.

What it is

• A park on a hill in Sue Town, Fukuoka Prefecture.
• Known for its extensive flower displays.
• Contains the Sue Town Historical and Folk Museum.
• The museum opened in 1974, the first in Kyushu.

What to see

• About 30,000 azaleas bloom in spring.
• About 2,000 hydrangeas bloom in early summer.
• A natural rock garden of peridotite boulders.
• Views of Fukuoka city and Hakata Bay.
• Sue Town Historical and Folk Museum exhibits.
• Lawn area, play area, and walking paths.

When to go

• Spring for azalea blooms.
• Early summer for hydrangea blooms.

Read more about Sarayama Park

Kurume Central Park offers diverse attractions from science to sports, ideal for families and nature lovers.

What it is

• A large park covering 23.8 hectares.
• Located almost in the center of Kurume city.
• Houses multiple public facilities.

What to see

• Symbol Plaza with a 4.7-hectare lawn.
• Large fountain 'Ai no Izumi' in Symbol Plaza.
• Fukuoka Prefecture Youth Science Museum.
• Kurume City Bird Center.
• Kurume Citizen Flowing Water Pool.

When to go

• Late May for Shobu Pond's irises.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line Kushihara Station.

Official site

kurumekoen.org

Read more about Kurume Central Park

Ōhori Park is a large urban park in Fukuoka, offering scenic walks and cherry blossoms.

What it is

• A prefectural urban park in Fukuoka City.
• A nationally registered monument.
• Opened as a park in March 1929.
• Created from Fukuoka Castle's outer moat.

What to see

• A large pond, formerly a castle moat.
• Several islands connected by bridges.
• The park's perimeter is 2 kilometers.
• The restaurant "Hananoki" at Boat House.

When to go

• Popular for cherry blossom viewing in spring.

Getting there

• About 2 kilometers west of Tenjin in Fukuoka City.

Address

810-0051福岡市中央区大濠公園 Map

Official site

www.ohorikouen.jp

Read more about Ōhori Park

Yomiya Park is a Kitakyushu park with a war memorial, Japanese garden, and irises, especially in June.

What it is

• A 10.3-hectare park in Kitakyushu City.
• It has a central plaza and a war memorial tower.
• The tower, built in 1959, honors Tobata war dead.

What to see

• A war memorial tower in the park's center.
• Yomiya Pond and a Japanese garden with 35 iris types.
• Cherry blossoms and plum trees.
• The nearby Former Matsumoto Family Residence.
• The nearby Yomiya Large Petrified Wood.

When to go

• June for the Tobata Iris Festival.
• June to see the park's famous irises.

Read more about Yomiya Park

A combined zoo and botanical garden with diverse animal and plant species, connected by a slope car.

What it is

• A municipal zoo and botanical garden.
• The zoo opened in 1953.
• The botanical garden opened in 1980.
• It is located in Minami Park, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City.

What to see

• About 110 species of animals in the zoo.
• About 2,600 species of plants in the botanical garden.
• Asian Tropical Valley Area in the zoo.
• Penguin Area in the zoo.
• A slope car connects the zoo and botanical garden.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during the New Year holidays.

Official site

zoo.city.fukuoka.jp

Read more about Fukuoka Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden

Fukuoka Kasuga Park Stadium: a large park with sports facilities, built on a former US military base.

What it is

• A 30-hectare park in Kasuga City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
• Opened in April 1981.
• Commemorates Emperor Showa's 50th year on the throne.
• Built on a former US military base.

What to see

• Baseball field and tennis courts.
• A 1.6-kilometer jogging course.
• Trees transplanted from Higashi Park.

When to go

• Kasuga Andon Festival is held in October.
• Festival remembers ancestors.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Kasuga Station.

Official site

kinoshitaryokuka2.com

Read more about Fukuoka Kasuga Park Stadium

Island City Central Park is a large urban park with diverse facilities on an artificial island.

What it is

• An urban park in Fukuoka, Japan.
• Located on Fukuoka Island City artificial island.
• Some facilities reuse those from a 2005 fair.

What to see

• Park is divided into north and south sections.
• Pedestrian bridge connects the north and south sections.
• North side has a pond, lawn, and walking path.
• North side has a learning facility called Gurin Gurin.
• South side has an International Exchange Garden.
• North side has a multi-purpose area and children's area.

Official site

ic-park.jp

Read more about Island City Central Park

Mekari Park offers scenic views, historic ruins, and unique railway exhibits in Kitakyushu.

What it is

• An urban park in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
• Total area of 37.1 hectares.
• A major tourist destination for Kitakyushu City.

What to see

• Mount Kojō, site of Mojikō Castle ruins.
• Static display of EF30 1 locomotive and Ohafu 33 488 passenger car.
• Tako-yama playground equipment, 6 meters high and 20 meters wide.
• French Sailors' Monument commemorating 10 French sailors.

When to go

• Saltwater pool operates during summer.

Read more about Mekari Park

Rakusui-en is a tranquil Japanese garden and teahouse, a peaceful escape near Hakata Station.

What it is

• A park with a teahouse and Japanese garden.
• Originally a villa of Hakata merchant Shimozawa Zen'emon Chikamasa.
• Developed into a Japanese garden by Fukuoka City in 1995.
• Named Rakusui-en after the merchant's pseudonym.

What to see

• A traditional Japanese garden.
• A teahouse within the garden.

When to go

• Open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Closed on Tuesdays.

Getting there

• 12-minute walk from Hakata Station.

Address

812-0018福岡市博多区住吉二丁目10番7号 Map

Official site

rakusuien.net

Read more about Rakusui-en

Expansive seaside park on a sandbar, offering diverse attractions and natural beauty.

What it is

• Fifth national park established in Japan.
• Opened on October 20, 1981.
• Located on a sandbar across Hakata Bay.
• Formerly the US Air Force Hakata Base.

What to see

• Large lawn area for relaxation.
• Rose garden with various blooms.
• Campground facilities available.
• Outdoor theater, largest in Fukuoka City.
• Sunshine Pool, opened in 1983.

Getting there

• Accessible by JR Kashii Line.
• Get off at Uminonakamichi Station.

Official site

uminaka-park.jp

Read more about Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

A park in Fukuoka preserving agricultural heritage, offering a museum, nature garden, and playground.

What it is

• A park in Oki Town, Fukuoka Prefecture.
• Preserves the heritage of agricultural culture.
• Re-evaluates creek remains as cultural heritage.
• A place for local recreation and learning.

What to see

• A museum about the history of creeks.
• A nature garden for observing waterside ecosystems.
• A playground for children.
• Admission to the park is free.

Getting there

• Accessible from Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line Omizo Station.

Read more about Kurīku no Sato Ishimaruyama Park

Nokonoshima Island Park offers panoramic flower gardens, activities, and Showa-era charm on an island.

What it is

• A park on Nokonoshima island, Fukuoka City.
• Opened on April 2, 1969.
• Located in the northern part of the island.

What to see

• Panoramic flower garden with seasonal blooms.
• Area recreating early Showa-era Hakata streets.
• Mini zoo and craft experience facilities.
• Dining facilities and accommodation.

When to go

• Open year-round, no closing days.

Getting there

• Accessible by ferry and bus.

Official site

nokonoshima.com

Read more about Nokonoshima Island Park

Higashi-kōen is Fukuoka's first prefectural park, offering statues and a historical museum.

What it is

• An urban park in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City.
• Fukuoka Prefecture's first prefectural park.
• Established in 1876.
• Covers 25.05 hectares.

What to see

• Statue of Emperor Kameyama.
• 10.6-meter-tall statue of Nichiren.
• Genko Historical Museum.
• Fukuoka Prefectural Office buildings.

Getting there

• Near Chiyo-Kenchōguchi Station.
• Near Maidashi-Kyūdai-byōin-mae Station.
• Served by several Nishitetsu Bus stops.

Address

812-0045福岡市博多区東公園7番 Map

Read more about Higashi-kōen

Tashojin Park offers city views, 2,500 cherry trees, and a shrine with historical roots.

What it is

• A park in Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
• Named after a rebellion in 941.
• Minamoto no Mitsunaka set up camp here.
• Sumiyoshi Okami was invited to this location.

What to see

• Views of Iizuka city.
• About 2,500 cherry trees.
• Tashojin Shrine.
• Tashojin Stardome observatory.
• Playground area with large equipment.
• Walking trails.

Getting there

• Accessible by train.
• Accessible by bus.
• Accessible by car.

Official site

kankou-iizuka.jp

Read more about Taishōjin Park

Explore Japan's coal mining heritage at this park, home to a museum and historical structures.

What it is

• A representative park in Tagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks.
• Developed on the former site of Mitsui Tagawa Mining Company Ida Pit.
• Opened in its current form in 2005.

What to see

• Tagawa City Coal and History Museum.
• The 4.8 hectare park grounds.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Tagawa-Ita Station.
• 5-minute walk from Sekitan Kinen Koen-guchi bus stop.

Official site

www.joho.tagawa.fukuoka.jp

Read more about Coal-mining Memorial Park

Minami Park offers a large green space, zoo, and botanical garden in Fukuoka City.

What it is

• A large city park in Fukuoka City, Japan.
• Encompasses the Fukuoka City Zoological and Botanical Garden.
• Covers an area of 86.8 hectares.
• Formerly known as Ohyasumiyama.

What to see

• Three main areas: free park, zoo, and botanical garden.
• The northern area is a free park.
• The central area contains the zoo.
• The southern area contains the botanical garden.
• Nakayama Memorial Monument.
• Uenin Jizo Bosatsu.

Address

福岡市中央区平尾浄水町45番1の一部並びに南公園11番の一部、12番、13番、15番2、24番、32番、37番1、42番、63番及び67番並びに御所ケ谷4番及び7番 Map

Read more about Minami Park

Explore Japan's industrial past at the preserved Higashida First Blast Furnace Park.

What it is

• A park on the site of Japan's first blast furnace.
• Opened in 1901, it is a symbol of steelmaking heritage.
• Preserves industrial facilities for public viewing.
• Designated a Kitakyushu City Historic Site in 1996.

What to see

• The preserved blast furnace that operated from 1962 to 1972.
• See inside a blast furnace, unique in Japan.
• An outdoor display of a torpedo car.
• An outdoor display of a converter.

Address

〒805-0071 福岡県北九州市八幡東区東田２丁目３−１２ 東田第一高炉 Map

Read more about Higashida Daiichi Kōro Historic Site Plaza

A green pedestrian path in Fukuoka, connecting residential areas and serving as an evacuation route.

What it is

• A pedestrian path in Fukuoka City, managed by the city.
• Part of a larger pedestrian network in Seaside Momochi.
• Opened in 1987 under the Urban Park Act.
• Serves as an evacuation route during disasters.

What to see

• A green space, 10 to 20 meters wide.
• Tree-lined strips and pedestrian/bicycle paths.
• Divided into four sections by city roads.
• Fureai Bridge connects to Jigyochuo Park at the east end.

Address

814-0001福岡市早良区百道浜一丁目902番10 Map

Read more about Momochi 2nd Pedestrian Path